It was soon Saturday, and Chi Yan returned home early in the morning. His parents had come back home last night. As soon as Chi Yan entered, he saw his parents and quickly handed a box to his mother, “Mom, happy birthday.”
Zhao Yun smiled as she accepted it, stood up and hugged him, “Thank you, son. How are your studies recently?”
Chi Yan: “Still okay.”
Zhao Yun just asked casually. She certainly knew what level her son was at.
Soon after, Chi Yan’s uncle Chi Lei and cousin Chi Jin also arrived, and gave Zhao Yun gifts. As for Chi Lei’s wife, she was still abroad, so she didn’t have time to come back but let Chi Jin pass on her blessing. After a while, Chi Yan’s young uncle Chi Xin also returned, and the current head of the Chi family, Chi Yan’s grandfather Chi Bai, also came downstairs.
“Everyone has returned.”
“Dad!”
“Grandpa!”
Chi Bai sat in the main seat. He hadn’t retired yet and was still in charge of a large company with tens of thousands of employees, with great prestige. However, none of his three sons were like him or wanted to inherit the family business. The eldest became a painter and married a civil servant. The child they gave birth to also became a civil servant.
The second son wanted to be a teacher but didn’t settle down to properly teach. Instead he went to unknown places to do research every day. The wife he married was the same.
As for the third son, he still wasn’t married despite being so old. When he was young he joined the army. After being demobilized he wanted to start some kind of bodyguard company!
The 30-something year old Chi Xin: ...He wasn’t that old at all.
Every single one of them didn’t want to inherit his career. Chi Bai finally placed his hopes on his little grandson Chi Yan.
“Little Yan, come sit here.” Chi Bai patted the seat next to him.
Chi Yan sat there, “Grandfather.”
Chi Bai patted his hand, “How have your studies been recently?”
Chi Xin cut in from the side, “You guys only ever ask about studying. Kids these days don’t like being asked about studying all the time. You should ask Little Yan if he has a girlfriend, if he’s short on money. After all, Little Yan is an adult now.”
“Ow!” Chi Xin was whacked on the head with a stick by Chi Bai.
Chi Bai: “You and your big mouth. Do you have a girlfriend? How old are you? Maybe Little Yan will already have kids by the time you’re still single!”
Chi Xin: ...
Chi Yan held his grandfather's hand, "My studies are fine, no problem."
Chi Bai: "That's good then." Then he looked at Chi Yan’s mother Zhao Yun, "Little Yun, today is your birthday. Here, this is dad's gift to you." Chi Bai handed over a box.
Zhao Yun took it over, "Thank you, dad."
Chi Bai nodded, "I’m borrowing your birthday tonight to host a banquet. The political situation has been changing rapidly lately. All of you should be more vigilant when going out, don’t get caught up in other people's business."
Chi Xin: “Dad, who dares make trouble for our family? I’ll get people to beat them back.”
Chi Bai whacked him with the stick again, “Watch that temper of yours. Anyway, keep a low profile.”
“Yes, dad.”
“Yes, grandpa.”
"Alright alright, you guys go get ready first."
"Yes."
That night at the Chi house banquet hall, the lights were dazzling and wine cups criss-crossed.
As soon as Zhu Ruxin entered, she saw Chi Yan leaning lazily against a pillar in a white suit, holding a glass of champagne in his hand. He wore an aloof expression, surrounded by quite a few boys and girls.
"Brother Chi Yan!" Zhu Ruxin immediately went over.
As soon as they saw her, many girls instantly came up with excuses to leave.
Chi Yan's expression also turned cold. Everyone present knew he didn't like Zhu Ruxin. In fact, most peers in their social circle didn't like Zhu Ruxin. She was simply too overbearing, and previously wanted to ruin the looks of a girl in the circle because she found her unpleasant.
Yet the Zhu family allowed Zhu Ruxin to do as she pleased. No one knew how it was eventually resolved, but in any case the girl's family didn't come seeking trouble from the Zhu family afterwards.
"Brother Chi Yan, I'm back." Zhu Ruxin didn't care what others thought. In her heart there was only Brother Chi Yan.
"I don't have a sister. Miss Zhu, please don't call me brother. Excuse me, I have matters to attend to." Chi Yan came up with an excuse to leave.
Zhu Ruxin reached out to grab his arm but Chi Yan dodged aside, then strode away until he disappeared around a corner.
Zhu Ruxin stamped her foot. That cheap woman must have bewitched her Brother Chi Yan!
Chi Yan slipped away and took out his phone to message Chu Yang, "What are you up to today?"
Chu Yang: "Studying in the library in the morning. Went to my part-time job in the afternoon. I’m in the dorm now."
Chi Yan: "I met someone unpleasant today. Not happy."
Chu Yang: "If it's someone unpleasant then just ignore them. [pats head]
Chi Yan: "I'll be back tomorrow night."
Chu Yang: "Great~"
After chatting with Chu Yang for a while, Chi Yan's mood improved considerably. The banquet was also about to officially start. Chi Yan returned to the banquet hall. Soon after, the butler brought out the cake and everyone sang happy birthday together. Then people scrambled to hand over gifts to Zhao Yun.
"Happy birthday, Teacher Zhao."
"Thank you."
"Your son is so handsome. Is he still studying?"
Zhao Yun maintained her polite smile, "Yes, he's studying at B University."
"B University? That's really impressive. Not like my useless one who I could only send abroad in the end."
"Does he have a girlfriend yet? I know some nice girls here."
"He's still young. Besides, I can't interfere in matters of the heart."
"Yes, kids these days only think about free love. They get together and break up so easily."
"Times have changed after all."
...
The banquet lasted until 10pm before ending. Throughout it all, Zhu Ruxin kept trying to get close to Chi Yan, but every time Chi Yan came up with some excuse to leave so Zhu Ruxin couldn't find him.
This made Zhu Ruxin even more angry. For some reason, she felt like there was a ball of fire in her heart wanting release. Her uncle said that Chi Yan's robust Yang energy could complement hers, and insisted she must be with him. He said being with Brother Chi Yan could alleviate her physical discomfort.
Of course she would be with Brother Chi Yan. She just had to get rid of those cheap women outside and Brother Chi Yan would be hers.
The next day, the Chi family ate a meal together. Afterwards everyone went about their own business.
Chi Yan's uncle's family lived outside, and so did Chi Jin. Chi Yan's parents also lived elsewhere. Usually only Chi Yan's grandfather and Chi Yan's youngest uncle lived in the big house, but Chi Yan's uncle sometimes stayed at the company and didn't come back every day.
In the past Chi Yan would often come back, but hadn’t done so much this semester since he still had school.
Watching the departing figures, Chi Bai sighed. He returned to his room and looked at a photo of his late wife, "The children have all grown up and don't like staying by my side. My health is still alright. Looks like you’ll have to wait a little longer for me... The children are all doing well. I will definitely protect them well..."
On the other side, at 9pm Chi Yan arrived downstairs at Chu Yang's dorm building. Chu Yang hurried downstairs, "Why did you come over? It's so late. I thought you'd go straight back to school."
Chi Yan hugged her, "Wanted to see you."
